Elon Musk has successfully removed Vivek Ramaswamy from the leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a move that underscores Musk’s increasing influence within Donald Trump’s administration. This development comes after a controversial post by Ramaswamy about H-1B visas, which reportedly expedited his departure.
According to three individuals familiar with Musk’s stance, the tech mogul and Trump ally had expressed a strong desire for Ramaswamy’s exit. These sources, who spoke under anonymity, revealed that Musk was particularly displeased with Ramaswamy’s December holiday rant on X (formerly Twitter).
Only 69 days after Trump introduced the DOGE team, Ramaswamy is stepping down and is expected to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor next week. The episode not only highlights Musk’s ability to influence personnel decisions but also hints at potential internal clashes reminiscent of Trump’s first term.
“Ramaswamy just burned through the bridges and he finally burned Elon,” commented a Republican strategist close to Trump’s advisors. “Everyone wants him out of Mar-a-Lago, out of D.C.”
The H-1B Visa Controversy
A significant catalyst for Ramaswamy’s departure was his divisive commentary on H-1B visas. In late December, Ramaswamy criticized American culture on X, claiming that tech firms hire foreign workers partly because the U.S. fosters a “mindset that venerates mediocrity over excellence.”
“They wanted him out before the tweet — but kicked him to the curb when that came out,” one source noted.
A person associated with DOGE mentioned that Musk found it impractical for Ramaswamy to balance campaigning for Ohio’s governorship while co-leading DOGE.
Transition and Public Statements
Trump transition spokesperson Anna Kelly praised Ramaswamy’s contributions, stating, “He played a critical role in helping us create DOGE,” and noted that the gubernatorial run necessitated his exit, given DOGE’s structural demands.
Despite his departure, Ramaswamy appeared committed to the role as recently as Saturday, telling confidants that he was busy drafting executive orders. However, six individuals who had spoken with him confirmed that his involvement with DOGE had waned since early December.
By last week, Ramaswamy had aimed to secure some early victories with DOGE before pivoting to his gubernatorial campaign. His team is now attempting to cast his exit in a positive light, aligning it with Trump’s ascent to office.
Strained Relationships
Ramaswamy declined to comment on any tensions with Musk. However, a source close to him claimed the two were now on good terms, explaining, “The reality is that it wasn’t possible to run for governor and co-lead DOGE both at once.”
Notably, even Congressional Republicans have joined the chorus of criticism. A meme, reportedly circulated among junior staff in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, likened Musk to Stalin erasing Ramaswamy from history. A spokesperson for Johnson’s office denied the allegation.
Setbacks in Ohio Politics
Ramaswamy faced another blow last week when Ohio Governor Mike DeWine overlooked him for a Senate appointment, despite his last-minute lobbying efforts.
At a rally on Sunday, Trump discussed DOGE without hinting at impending changes, stating, “We have [Musk] and Vivek and some great people working on a thing called costs.”
The Final Days
Ramaswamy attended Trump’s inauguration and interacted with Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, reaffirming his presence in the political sphere. On Monday morning, he posted a photo of himself and Musk shaking hands, captioned, “A new dawn.”
Yet, by that afternoon, his departure was confirmed. A source close to Ramaswamy, speaking anonymously, stated that his exit from DOGE was official.
Ramaswamy’s sudden fall from grace, coupled with Musk’s decisive influence, suggests the Trump administration may face significant internal power struggles in the months ahead.
